Murphy Hastings

KERNERSVILLE – Murphy Ann Stephens Hastings, 90, passed away Saturday, October 1, 2022 at Kerner Ridge Assisted Living. Murphy was born on December 9, 1931 in Forsyth County to Clint and Stella Murphy Stephens. She was an active member of Sedge Garden United Methodist Church, where she loved participating in the church activities, especially Stitches of Love, and loved her church family. Murphy retired from the Winston-Salem Forsyth County School System after 25 years of service, spending her entire career at Sedge Garden Elementary and making many life-long friends while there.

Murphy loved to travel and was proud of the fact that she had visited all 50 states and several foreign countries. Camping was one of her favorite things to do with family and friends, having a campsite that welcomed everyone around. After retirement, Houston and Murphy traveled all across the US and Canada on bus trips, meeting many friends with each trip.

Her true enjoyment came from her love of sewing. Murphy shared her seamstress talents with many people who became dear friends. She was well known for her alterations, beautiful clothing pieces, hand-made household decorations and crafts. Giving up sewing in her later years was very difficult for her. Her sewing talent was matched by her ability to cook! She loved cooking for her family and friends, especially on holidays, and was well known for her English Toffee and Peanut Brittle.

In addition to her parents, Murphy was preceded in death by her husband, Houston Hastings; her brothers, Bill and David Stephens; her sisters, Jerry Dean Joyce, and Margaret Neal.

She is survived by her children, Kenneth Hastings (Hanan), Denise Ring (Jerry), Melissa Busch (Wayne), and Bryan Hastings (Christy); five grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; her sister, Ruth Lamb (Albert); a sister-n-law, Vickie Stephens; and many nieces and nephews.  A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 8, 2022 at Sedge Garden United Methodist Church with Reverends Dan Hester and Ellis Rouse officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 7, at Hayworth-Miller Kernersville Chapel. A private family burial will be at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be made to www.hayworth-miller.com